for sale €3,335 $3,620

£2,850

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A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

Name: A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1208639
Price: 2850 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Sandbanks Antiques

Description

A Fine 18th Century Chinese Bronze Bombé Censer – Large 20cm Format – 845g – Rare Scholar’s Aesthetic – 6-Character Xuande Mark

An imposing and masterfully cast Chinese bronze censer of classic Bombé form, dating to the 18th Century (Qing Dynasty). This vessel represents the height of "Scholar’s Taste," featuring a rare, expansive 20cm width and the sophisticated, compressed profile highly prized by the Qing literati.

Architecture & Dimensions

Total Width (Handle to Handle): 20cm. approx

Height: 7.2cm. approx

Rim Diameter (Top Opening): 12cm. approx

Weight: 845g. The relationship between the 12cm flared rim and the massive 20cm span creates a powerful, low-slung silhouette. This is a heavy-gauge, refined casting that stands significantly above common export-quality examples.

"Red Gold" Colour: Under natural light, the bronze displays a magnificent, deep reddish-gold glow, characteristic of high-copper alloys used in the 1700s.

Surface Integrity: The exterior exhibits a natural "orange peel" texture and fine atmospheric micro-pitting—evidence of honest aging over two centuries.

Interior: The interior is an untouched "time capsule," featuring original sand-casting "rain marks" and deep, authentic mineralized oxidation.

The Handles: The twin loop "Bridge" handles are integrated with seamless precision, flowing from the rim with an architectural tautness found only in elite early Qing workshop pieces.

Character Marks: The base features a crisp, deeply recessed six-character Da Ming Xuan De Nian Zhi mark. The calligraphy is rendered in high-relief Kaishu (Regular Script), perfectly centred and professionally executed.

The Base: The circular foot shows genuine "shelf-wear" and softening to the edges, consistent with 200+ years of use.

Collector’s Summary

Provenance The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London - Sticker Number 346

This is a superior, large-format bronze that possesses a clear, resonant, bell-like chime when struck. Its sophisticated 20cm proportions, masterful handle joinery, and magnificent natural patina make it a definitive example for the serious collector of Early Qing Dynasty bronzes.

Physical Dimensions

Height

7.2cm (2.83")

Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Bronze Bombe Censer to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1208639

Description

A Fine 18th Century Chinese Bronze Bombé Censer – Large 20cm Format – 845g – Rare Scholar’s Aesthetic – 6-Character Xuande Mark

“

An imposing and masterfully cast Chinese bronze censer of classic Bombé form, dating to the 18th Century (Qing Dynasty).

Sandbanks Antiques

This vessel represents the height of "Scholar’s Taste," featuring a rare, expansive 20cm width and the sophisticated, compressed profile highly prized by the Qing literati.

fig 1. An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. — fig 1. A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

Architecture & Dimensions

Total Width (Handle to Handle): 20cm. approx

Height: 7.2cm. approx

Rim Diameter (Top Opening): 12cm. approx

Weight: 845g. The relationship between the 12cm flared rim and the massive 20cm span creates a powerful, low-slung silhouette. This is a heavy-gauge, refined casting that stands significantly above common export-quality examples.

fig 2. An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. — fig 2. A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

"Red Gold" Colour: Under natural light, the bronze displays a magnificent, deep reddish-gold glow, characteristic of high-copper alloys used in the 1700s.

Surface Integrity: The exterior exhibits a natural "orange peel" texture and fine atmospheric micro-pitting—evidence of honest aging over two centuries.

fig 3. An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. — fig 3. A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

Interior: The interior is an untouched "time capsule," featuring original sand-casting "rain marks" and deep, authentic mineralized oxidation.

The Handles: The twin loop "Bridge" handles are integrated with seamless precision, flowing from the rim with an architectural tautness found only in elite early Qing workshop pieces.

fig 4. An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. — fig 4. A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

Character Marks: The base features a crisp, deeply recessed six-character Da Ming Xuan De Nian Zhi mark. The calligraphy is rendered in high-relief Kaishu (Regular Script), perfectly centred and professionally executed.

fig 5. An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. — fig 5. A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

The Base: The circular foot shows genuine "shelf-wear" and softening to the edges, consistent with 200+ years of use.

Collector’s Summary

Provenance The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London - Sticker Number 346

fig 6. An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. — fig 6. A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

This is a superior, large-format bronze that possesses a clear, resonant, bell-like chime when struck. Its sophisticated 20cm proportions, masterful handle joinery, and magnificent natural patina make it a definitive example for the serious collector of Early Qing Dynasty bronzes.

Physical Dimensions

Height

7.2cm (2.83")

Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Bronze Bombe Censer to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1208639

About the Dealer

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles.

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Archive I

A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

Archive II

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View II

Archive III

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View III

Archive IV

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View IV

Archive V

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View V

Archive VI

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View VI

Archive VII

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View VII

Archive VIII

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View VIII

Archive IX

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View IX

Archive X

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View X

Archive XI

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View XI

Archive XII

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View XII

Archive XIII

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View XIII

Archive XIV

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View XIV

Archive XV

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View XV

Archive XVI

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View XVI

Archive XVII

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View XVII

Archive XVIII

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View XVIII

Archive XIX

An 18th-century Chinese bronze censer featuring a rounded bombe body, flared rim, splayed foot ring, and two loop handles. View XIX

A Qing Dynasty bronze bombe censer is an incense vessel produced during the Qing era in China, characterised by a convex, swelling body, flared rim, and side handles. These vessels were traditionally used in religious rituals, ancestral worship, and scholars studies.

18th-century Chinese censers were primarily cast using the lost-wax casting technique from heavy bronze alloys, often containing copper, tin, zinc, and lead. The surface was frequently patinated through chemical processes or gilding to achieve varying shades of golden, brown, or dark tone finishes.

Authentic pieces generally exhibit balanced proportions, precise casting details, and a substantial, dense weight. Examiners inspect bottom cast apocryphal or reign marks, natural surface wear, and the presence of genuine age-related oxidisation inside the rim and base.

A bronze censer functions as a decorative tabletop object on a bookshelf, sideboard, or executive desk. It pairs effectively with dark wood surfaces, minimalist ceramics, and curated art books to add texture and historical context to contemporary spaces.

Dust the item gently with a soft, dry microfibre cloth to clean the surface without altering the patina. Avoid applying abrasive metal polishes, harsh detergents, or water, as these can strip historical surface finishes and cause damage to the metal.

Sandbanks Antiques

A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

Sandbanks Antiques

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Sandbanks Antiques

A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

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What is a Qing Dynasty bronze bombe censer?

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